La Romaine,
located near the mouth of the Olomane River, consists of a small
French-speaking population and a larger Innu reserve called Unamen
Shipu. The name La Romaine comes from the Innu word olomane or oromane,
meaning red ochre, from the reddish waters of the river in spring
runoff.

In the early 18th century the French established
a fishing and trading post at the mouth of the Olomane River. This
post became the place of contact between the nomadic Innu and the
more coastal Europeans. The British took control of the post in
the 1760s, followed by merchants from Quebec City.

La Romaine

Around 1850,
French Canadians from elsewhere in Quebec began to settle the area,
and gradually moved to La Romaine when several small outposts closed.
Today many residents work in the commercial lobster fishery and
private sport-fishing camps.

La Romaine

UNAMEN
SHIPU

The Innu reserve dates from the mid-1950s. Traditionally,
the Innu maintained a nomadic lifestyle. At the end of summer, they
left the coast and traveled upriver to hunt and fish in winter.
Each May, they returned down the river to the coast, where they
fished, hunted seabirds and gathered eggs. The Innu of the Lower
North Shore were one of the last nomadic Aboriginal groups in North
America, and were known for their birchbark canoes and traditional
travel by canoe or snowshoe.

The fur trade, contact with the white population, and the market
economy gradually transformed the Innu lifestyle. From the 1950s
until his death in 1992, Belgian Father Alexis Joveneau lived
in La Romaine, promoting Innu traditions while helping to build
permanent homes and infrastructure.

WHAT TO SEE

Marie Reine-des-Indiens Roman
Catholic Church: This church is open to the public.
It houses an unusual caribou skin altar that melds Catholic and
Innu culture.

Outer islands: A local boat owner can take you bird-watching
and berry-picking on various islands off La Romaine

Île
à la Brume Migratory Bird Sanctuary: This seabird sanctuary
is located east of the community of La Romaine. The Common Eider,
Ring-Billed Gull, Herring Gull and Great Black-backed Gull nest
here. No public activities are permitted when birds are present
at this conservation site.